A Challenger For Reilly (109th AD)

Albany County Legislator Paulette Barlette, aÂ Latham Republican, paid a visit this afternoon to the Assembly chamber to chat with the minority leader’s staff and get the lay of the land.

Why? Barlette is the latest local GOP lawmaker to consider a challenge to Assemblyman Robert “Bob” Reilly, D-Colonie, who is himself a newbie (elected in 2004 as part of the mini-wave of reform that swept several incumbent lawmakers from office, including his predecessor, Republican Robert “Bob” Prentiss).

Barlette, who was elected to the county legislature in 1996, confirmed she’s thinking about the race and said she’ll make a decision soon, noting that she needs to move fast to be able to mount a credible challenge against an incumbent majority member.

“I really can’t give a timetable right now,” she said. “I know we’re in the 11th hour, but there’s always the 12th.”

Republicans have been looking for someone to try and take back the 109th AD for some time. The most likely contender, Clifton Park Town Supervisor Philip Barrett, announced at the end of March he would be taking a pass.

The district enrollment – 38,501 Republican/26,794 Democrat – favors the GOP. But Democrats have been making inroads in the southern half of the district (Colonie), while the northern half in Saratoga County has trended red.

Barlette and Reilly are connected in local political history history. She won the county legislature seat he decided to give up in 1995. Republicans say he decided not to run for re-election because he was worried she’d beat him. Democrats say that’s untrue.